Secret Buyer

Chapter 377 - 276: Supreme Sect Leader, Arhat True Form

Even the dense gray fog that lingered around all year was briefly pushed aside, clearing the area within ten miles.

"It’s the Jingpeng Ship!" someone in the market exclaimed in shock, causing the old man who just offered incense and finished his prayers at the Buddhist Temple to tremble with fear, nearly dropping his tobacco pipe.

"Isn’t it?"

He stared blankly at the descending giant beast’s carcass, feeling a bit like crying without tears:

"I escaped from the Golden Province, and yet I’m still this unlucky... I just randomly pick a place to do business, and I run into this?"

The small old man mumbled as the Jingpeng landed.

Under the watchful eyes of the market vendors and countless passersby, the monstrous mouth of Jingpeng opened slightly, and people began to disembark one after another.

"It’s the Investigation Bureau!" someone exclaimed.

Hundreds of Investigation Bureau members immediately fanned out, encircling the entire Buddhist Temple and taking complete control of the area,

no one was allowed to leave.

The last person to disembark from the Jingpeng Ship was a middle-aged man—just an illusory spiritual body.

Kong Zhongshu surveyed the area,

the gray fog within ten miles had been swept away, revealing the Buddhist Temple and the surrounding scenery in full view,

he was cautious, keeping his true body aboard the Jingpeng Ship, now only appearing as an avatar.

"Bring everyone here, and also, seal off this Buddhist Temple."

Kong Zhongshu stared at the words ’Leiyin Temple’ on the temple’s plaque, quickly searching through his memory—no impression.

It seemed to be just an ordinary temple.

But his gaze passed through the open doors of the temple, locking onto the Buddha Statue inside the Buddha Tower, and the Arhat and Vajra under the scripture banners,

always giving Kong Zhongshu a very uneasy feeling.

His Spiritual Sense was sounding a warning.

"Interesting," he squinted, watching as the Investigation Bureau members leaped out one by one,

vendors and pedestrians in the market were all restrained and then brought in front of the Jingpeng Ship one by one.

"Little Persimmon,"

Kong Zhongshu gave a sidelong command:

"Lead a team to that wooden building over there and bring everyone inside over here, too."

Meng Xiaoshi pursed her lips, knowing Uncle Kong was giving her a chance to ’show her face,’ which would conveniently allow her to accrue more credit.

She responded, pulling Zhao Shanhe and a small squad along, striding towards the distant wooden building.

Before reaching the wooden building,

the occupants inside had already begun to come out obediently, with someone even shouting:

"There’s still someone on the rooftop who hasn’t come out!"

Meng Xiaoshi nodded slightly, and her squad members leaped forward, entering the wooden building.

In the next moment,

A gust of wind hit, blurring Meng Xiaoshi’s vision, she saw Uncle Kong’s spiritual avatar appearing in front of her, shielding her behind him,

She was bewildered and instinctively looked at the wooden building, only to see the members who had rushed inside being flung out one by one, crashing heavily to the ground, all with injuries, with clear energy flowing from them!

Meng Xiaoshi’s expression changed, knowing the Investigation Bureau was not like the Investigation Department, and the action team members were at least Grandmaster-level figures!

She stared at the wooden building, seeing the clear energy flowing like a river, and then a burly man carrying a coffin, bringing out a little girl in a disheveled state,

Behind them, following closely was a masked girl.

The girl was followed by a swaying green bamboo, her figure graceful, and her voice sounded like heavenly music:

"My adoptive father is in seclusion at the moment, dear sir, please refrain from disturbing."

Ruan Yutu’s voice was clear, standing in front of the wooden building, with clear energy flowing into a river around her.

The adoptive father at that moment was meditating on the bed, motionless, clearly with thoughts deep in the Divine Realm,

and most crucially, with flashes of Immortal Light and Buddha sounds occasionally emanating from him, indicating a critical moment where no disturbance was allowed.

"Interesting,"

Kong Zhongshu squinted, staring at the green bamboo behind the masked girl, speaking flatly:

"What a large bamboo, its origin seems quite extraordinary... Do you know what it means to obstruct the Investigation Bureau?"

He did not act rashly, others may not recognize it, but as a high-level investigator and a member of the Kong Family,

how could he not recognize that bamboo?

It clearly came from a piece of the Sea Purple Bamboo Forest in a Different Dimension.

That Sea Purple Bamboo Forest, it is said, was anchored by a Venerate of the Western Sect... In other words, behind this masked girl, there is a Western Sect Venerate.

Quite a big catch.

But, could it be her adoptive father?

Thinking of this, Kong Zhongshu’s expression slightly tensed, his body swaying, blocking Meng Xiaoshi completely behind him.

At the same time,

Ruan Yutu nodded calmly, then shook her head:

"I haven’t obstructed the Investigation Bureau, only my adoptive father is in seclusion and doesn’t want to be disturbed... I hope Captain Kong will show some leniency."

Kong Zhongshu was taken aback:

"You know me?"

Ruan Yutu nodded calmly:

"Kong Zhongshu, a member of the Kong Family, the chief captain of the Seventh Division of the Investigation Bureau."

Kong Zhongshu grew a bit interested, just about to speak when he heard the masked girl continue:

"Judging from Captain Kong’s demeanor, you must recognize the green bamboo behind me... Rest assured, Captain Kong."

Ruan Yutu spoke calmly:

"This green bamboo does indeed come from the Purple Bamboo Forest, but it was snatched by my master from the hands of that Western Sect Venerate."

The Investigation Bureau members looked at each other, Western Sect Venerate?

Kong Zhongshu spoke expressionlessly:

"Such an event, why is the Investigation Bureau unaware? And who is the master you speak of?"

Ruan Yutu remained silent.

Kong Zhongshu raised an eyebrow, the true body seated in the Jingpeng Ship began to act, maneuvering the Jingpeng Ship to soar into the sky,

as more and more Roc Feathers peeled off from the Jingpeng Ship, transforming into a massive Sword Furnace!

"I’m even more curious now,"

Kong Zhongshu spoke calmly:

"The personnel within the Investigation Bureau are all top secret; how would you know me, and who are the master and adoptive father you speak of?"

"Tell him, tell them, to come out and see me."

As he spoke,

Above the Celestial Vault, the Sword Furnace roared with boundless Sword Light, already covering the sky and sun, the Merciful Buddha Statue inside the Buddha Tower seemed to move, but then fell silent again.

As for the many restrained pedestrians and vendors, they were now all shrinking their necks, hardly daring to breathe,

Third Lian was completely bewildered—who exactly were that old man and the young girl??

The sound of sword cries echoed through the heavens and earth.

Under terrifying pressure, beads of sweat poured down Ruan Yutu’s forehead, yet she held firm, not retreating, clear energy rivers surging.

As for that Red Bull?

It was gleefully watching the commotion.

The light of the Sword Furnace in the sky grew even more intense, as Kong Zhongshu spoke calmly:

"It seems only I will need to go and see for myself."

Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly raised an eyebrow, his gaze moving past the masked girl, toward the wooden building.

Footsteps sounded from within the building.

A scruffy old man walked out slowly, stretching out his hand as he walked, knocking on the void.

’Knock!!’

The old man gave a light chuckle:

"Split."

The voice fell.

In the Celestial Vault, the Sword Furnace suddenly collapsed, myriad sword feathers scattered down.

Kong Zhongshu’s expression changed, grabbing Meng Xiaoshi and turning to leave, but upon turning, he couldn’t see the Jingpeng Ship.

There was only a ruined Buddha Country.

He looked up again.

Above, an elderly face had filled the sky at some point.

They were in the Buddha Country.

The Buddha Country was in the scruffy old man’s palm.

(Got stuck in a writing block, and rushed, managed to finish this a minute before midnight, almost broke my streak of writing over ten thousand words a day for three consecutive months on the 58th day)